Teeth Whitening Options: Choosing Between In-Office and At-Home Treatments

Bright, white teeth can boost your confidence and even improve your health. Unlike over-the-counter products, professional bleaching treatments offer minimal side effects and are safe when performed under a dental care professional’s supervision.

After protecting your gums, the hygienist will coat your teeth with a whitening compound. The high-concentration bleaching agent will lift stains on your teeth and lighten them by several shades in less than an hour.

At-Home Whitening

Most DIY teeth whitening Lake Mary options like strips, trays, and gels contain peroxide that lightens the enamel of your teeth when used regularly over several days or weeks. Some also have whitening accelerators like LED lights or whitening toothpastes or mouthwashes that help speed up the process.

Most over-the-counter whitening products use hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent, but they can be extremely aggressive and irritating to the mouth if used in high doses. Other whitening options such as carbamide peroxide are less aggressive and offer a more gentle approach to teeth whitening.

For DIY options, patients should follow all directions on the packaging to maximize their results. It’s important to understand that at-home whitening will not last as long as in-office whitening, and results will likely fade within just a few months of treatment. You will need to make routine visits to your dentist and maintain a consistent oral hygiene regimen to keep your teeth looking their best.

In-Office Whitening

Whitening procedures performed in a dental office with professional supervision allow the dentist to maximize the effectiveness of treatment while minimizing discomfort. Unlike over-the-counter bleaching strips, gels and trays, in-office whitening treatments require just one 30- to 60-minute session with dramatic results.

This type of professional teeth whitening in Lake Mary is usually the safest and most effective option to whiten your teeth. The dentist can choose the right concentration of bleaching gel and also use a desensitizing agent (potassium nitrate or fluoride) to protect your gum tissues and reduce tooth sensitivity and damage.

The dentist’s whitening gel contains a high concentration of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide that weakens your tooth stains on a molecular level. Unlike over-the-counter bleaching products, professional whitening is able to remove stubborn stains like those caused by antibiotics, medications or aging. This is why whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in NYC! It can make your smile whiter, brighter and more attractive.

Opalescence Go

Opalescence Go is a take-home teeth whitening system that provides patients with a professional whitening experience in the comfort of their homes. Its pre-filled trays allow for precise whitening and are available with 10% or 15% hydrogen peroxide, providing options to fit your needs.

The innovative UltraFit tray adapts to fit any smile, offering molar-to-molar coverage to ensure maximum contact with the whitener and a more even result. The whitening gel is sweetened with xylitol to help reduce tooth decay, and PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) to improve oral health.

This product is a great alternative to over-the-counter whitening kits and can also be used as a follow-up to in-office whitening treatments. It is safe for most adults, but it’s important to talk to your dentist about whether it’s the right option for you. Those who have thin or damaged enamel, receding gums, or exposed roots should avoid this treatment. It’s also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those undergoing fertility treatment.

Zoom!

Brightly white teeth are not only beautiful to look at, they can also boost your confidence and contribute to a healthy image. However, the natural aging process and certain medications can cause yellowing or discoloration of tooth enamel. In these cases, Zoom! is a bleaching procedure that can lighten discoloration of the enamel and dentin.

During the treatment, the dentist will place a whitening gel with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. The halide light is then focused on the teeth to activate the gel. This light will be on for a total of 15 minutes during three separate sessions.

Unlike whitening strips or brush-on gels that can take weeks to whiten your teeth, Zoom! Produces dramatic results in just one session. Once the teeth whitening Lake Mary treatment is complete, you will be provided with an at-home maintenance kit that can help you keep your smile looking great. If you are interested in achieving your best smile ever, contact our office today and book your initial consultation.